Jayson Stark: Marlins Expected to Keep Josh Johnson

[MiamiHomer]

And I hope a team does for JJ but I have little hope, if all, that something will happen.

[Big Z]

Ditto. I want some action. Anibal, Infante and Hanley wasn't enough for me.

I hope we trade Nolasco too. We can dump him for all I care. Then again, I doubt we get much in return for Nolasco.
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@Ken_Rosenthal: My #Diamondbacks story says team aiming for elite starter. I list C. Lee as possibility but source says they are one of teams he can block.

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[Swifty]

re: Reyes.

His June and July show a significant improvement (both OPS above .820, but that coincides with him all but completely stopping running 10 SB combined, 4 in 2 games). He's on pace for his lowest SB total in any season in which he played 140 or more games (40, previous low 56). I don't think anyone, even the "he's pretty damn good, boys" crowd will argue that he's an elite bat on the SLG side, so to have "value" he's going to have to advance himself (what I like to call the adjusted SLG) He's basically at his career OBP (.344; .341) which, I think most would agree, is spectacularly unspectacular for a $100 million leadoff hitter. He's been a lot better lately, but he's also been bad, and far from what was advertised.

Also, the way the Marlins do business, that's not a $100 million player.

[MiamiHomer]

ATLANTA — Keeping a sense of humor after another disheartening loss, Ozzie Guillen on Monday night joked to reporters that scouts seeing his team play may have turned and walked away.

The Marlins manager openly wondered what teams would want these players? We’re about to find out.

The non-waiver trade deadine is at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. Up until the final minute, the Marlins still may pull off a deal.

For weeks, the Marlins have been heavily scouted by clubs seeking to add.

What they’ve seen is more of the same from a Miami team, which lost 8-2 on Monday at Turner Field.

The Marlins already have been active in trades this month. Last week, in the span of three days, they dealt Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Tigers. They followed that up by sending Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate to the Dodgers.

If you go back to July 4, the Marlins added Carlos Lee from the Astros.

The question now is if another move or two will take place prior to the deadline?

Josh Johnson’s name has been out there, and teams have inquired. But the Marlins asking price is high, and is expected to remain so. Because Johnson hasn’t pitched at the All-Star level he displayed in previous years, several teams have backed away.

Opinions may change before the deadline, because starting pitching still is in high demand.

Indications are the Marlins want to retain Johnson, who is signed through 2013.

Johnson’s $13.75 million salary for next year is pretty modest for an ace, and shouldn’t be a motivating factor to move him.

If the Marlins feel Johnson is healthy, then it makes sense to keep him. They could see if he improves down the stretch. If so, it could increase his trade value in the offseason. Or the team may not want to deal him if he’s performing at a high level.

The Marlins have Johnson, Mark Buehrle and Ricky Nolasco under contract for next year. And the club could use those three to build a rotation around. Nathan Eovaldi, acquired in the Ramirez trade, is another promising fixture in the starting five.

If the club opts to stick with those four, it will take the pressure off rushing 21-year-old Jacob Turner, the centerpiece in the recent deal with Detroit. Wade LeBlanc would be another option.

Turner is at Triple-A New Orleans, but he could be called up to pitch the second game of Friday’s Doubleheader at Washington.

Even if the Marlins don’t move Johnson on Tuesday, it doesn’t mean they won’t be active.

Miami is currently searching for outfielders, relievers, a third baseman and perhaps a catcher.

Will Marlins make another move before deadline?

[Big Z]

Hmm, relievers? Our OF is terrible right now (with the exception of Ruggs), C, 3B as well. We have no offense.

[Mainge]

I still don't get the infatuation with Upton and his injury history and his Hanleyesque stats and his Hanleyesque contract

He's 24 and hit 30+ HRs last year with a .360 OBP, while playing solid defense in RF.

Definitely don't want that.

[emkayseven]

My point is, for a bunch of people who hated Hanley and his contract, Justin Upton is relatively similar. In his age 24 season Hanley stole 51 bases and hit 29 home runs with a .386 OBP. In age 25 hit 33 homers, stole 35 bases and led the league in batting with a .400 OBP.

[MiamiHomer]

I think you are misunderstanding why some people hated Hanley.

[Swifty]

I'm with Polky. Marlins fans are dumb. (Though Mainge likes Hanley).

[MiamiHomer]

Guess I'll just put this here:

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Diamondbacks execs meeting behind closed doors at hotel in LA. Reported earlier they want to get elite SP. Now they need to counter LA, SF.

[Mainge]

I do love Hanley.

Think Dodgers would deal him? Something like Eovaldi and anonymous power reliever might get it done.

[Fritz]

*Nods*

[Ramp]

I hope the Marlins keep JJ, but I would dance the dance of a thousand dances if moving JJ brought Justin Upton to Miami

[tjfla]

Well looks like the Rangers have caved!!!!!

However it's for James Shields NOT JJ

[MiamiHomer]

JIM BOWDEN @JimBowdenESPNxm
Rangers circling back to kick the tires on James Shields but NOT going to move Olt or Profar no matter what

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